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Youth Voices

I am Taranika Holloway.
I am 17 years old and in the 10th grade at EDCO Youth Alternative.
If I could improve my school and the Boston Pubic School system, I would hire more teachers and tutors, and provide for more afterschool activities. I would also want to prevent violence, and work toward lowering the number of ganges and less people hanging on the streets.
I joined the BYSN Youth Committee to make a change in any way I can.
The Youth Committee will also help me advocate for others and myself, and be a leader.

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My name is Patricia Telisma and I live in Dorchester. I have six sisters and one brother. I attend ESAC’s GED Plus in Dudley, MA. The BYSN Youth Committee has helped me meet new people, and also opened my eyes to what the world has to offer. I would love my community and people around me to focus on their goals and work as a team, while helping each other in any way possible. My future career goal is to become a Registered Nurse so I can better myself and my son’s life.

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My name is Miles Fuqua. I am 20 years old, currently attending Bridge Over Troubled Waters GED program. I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. I joined the BYSN Youth Committee because I want to see more youth completing their education, and I support their mission of offering alternative pathways to help lower the drop out rate. I also would like to see more teachers finding jobs to secure the future of education in Boston and the United States.

My Next Step: I have been accepted into Northeastern's Foundation Year!

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My name is Kelsea Miles, I was born in Boston, MA. I graduated from Jeremiah E. Burke HIgh School. I work with Hyde Square Task Force and that’s how I got involved with the BYSN Youth Committee. Although I’m still shy, I like the Youth Committee because I am learning a lot. Everyone is friendly and I’m interested in staying to work with everyone here, and to help further my college education.

To help my community, I would like to stop the violence and also help to prevent or spread awareness about teen pregnancy.

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My name is Amanda Clarke.

I was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts and in the Bronx, New York. I formally attended Madison Park Vocational High School for two years until I was expelled because of lack of communication with teachers and students. After I left the Boston Public Schools, I attended an alternative school and BYSN program, ABCD University High School for two years until I found the best school for my needs, Notre Dame Education Center.

I will graduate with my diploma in January.

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My name is Analiese, I’m from Boston. I’ve lived in many different parts of the city, but mostly in Dorchester and Roxbury. This past summer and the summer before I took part in the ABCD Summerworks Program, which I enjoyed because it taught me professionalism and gave me workplace experience. I would love to change the quality and access to education in my community. Dropout rates in Boston are very high, and I would like to find a way to ensure that those students that choose to drop out are still able to be successful members of their community.

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The BYSN Youth Committee hosted it's FIRST ANNUAL PROM for students in BYSN's Alternative Education and Career Explorations Programs.

“A Black and White Affair” took place on June 2, 2012 from 7-10pm at City Year (287 Columbus Avenue).

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Juan is 18 years old a proud father, a student at City Roots and a Boston Youth Service Network youth committee member. Juan's family is from Venezuela, who moved from Florida to Boston. Juan was referred to City Roots by his brother who completed and graduated the program already, after he dropped out of his public high school. He wanted to start the school year fresh, and to still have the chance to get his diploma. At City Roots, Juan is learning Italian, and passing all of his classes, with good grades.

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Matthew, is 18, and a senior at EDCO Youth Alternative and a BYSN youth committee member. He has a great sense of humor and is a confident, hard working young man. Matthew was a student in a public high school and needed a different environment. Since he ran into some trouble, his school and guidance department referred him to EDCO. Since he has been a student at his current program he raised his GPA tremendously.

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Yvette is 21, and currently in the program, Youth Build Boston and a member of the Boston Youth Service Youth Committee. Yvette felt that she needed something to help her to a career for her future. She previously was a member at the program, Bridge Over Troubled Waters, where they helped Yvette find the program Youth Build Boston. At her program she has the opportunity to learn carpentry, which makes her happy that she can learn the trades and skills she can use for a lifetime.

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